Well Hey!
It has been a very long time since I sat down to share some education through my blog, or really written on the blog at all. Nowadays, blogs are not the trendiest way to receive information, but writing is still one of my favorite hobbies, alongside the storytelling of photography.
This time, I wanted to share with you something that is becoming very common, and I mean that in the best way possible! Big weddings are still poppin' too, however, I happen to be a big fan of the frequent elopements and tiny weddings, and you might be too. Unfortunately, not a lot of people are familiar with what each of those implies, so I figured I would give you some quick info about each, and maybe then you can make a decision regarding what you want your big day to look like.
Intimate Wedding
-50 guests or less
-less stress
-invite your closest circles of friends and family
-only invite people you know and want there, it is your day. Big weddings have a lot of stress around having to invite everyone you know, or everyone brings a +1, or you want to invite your two closest college roommates but not the third.... so have a tiny wedding and just tell everyone it is tiny and so you are narrowing your guest list and inviting with intention! There is nothing wrong with that! Celebrate your love with the people you love! (even if you have a big wedding, I think this rule still applies hehe)
-oftentimes, it costs less
Elopement
-10-15 guests or less
-nearing the least amount of stress
-invite your closest family, and your very best super close friends if you want. Or just you two and your officiant and/or photographer! No one can really whine about not getting invited. You eloped, probably with your immediate family, and your two or three best friends. Most people can understand that.
-spend little to nothing on tying the knot, and splurge on an awesome honeymoon or save for a downpayment on a new home.
How to Make it Fun
I am all for intimate weddings + elopements right now because I have come to realize that it can relieve so much of the pressure regarding marriage on your big day. Yes, marriage is so precious if you are someone who values that, and in that case you should enjoy a stress-free celebration of the love you share with your significant other (s/o), and after working numerous large weddings, I have seen the skyrocketing stress levels from multiple couples. In my opinion, it is more stressful to worry about pleasing your 150+ guests, your bridal party, and maybe your parents...compared to your 20-40 guests at your tiny and intimate wedding. And even better, your elopement with just 10 or less people! How stress free does that sound? And less expensive? It may not sound like a lot of fun, but here are some ways to still have your dream tiny wedding or elopement and make it super fun and super special!
-Elope with just the two of you, then celebrate with a fun gathering/reception after with close friends and family. Share a favorite meal like pizza or tacos, or celebrate with drinks, music and fun games!
-Have a destination wedding. Keep it tiny, small group of friends and family, or just you two, and travel to a beautiful place to tie the knot. This is affordable when you elope or have a smaller wedding. Imagine the cost of 8 people trying to travel, vs the cost of 80 people trying to travel to your wedding. Just share the photos instead!
-Write your own vows! It is so personal and you won't be sharing too much for too many people to hear. Just your super close friends and/or family, who would honestly melt if they had to hear what you two wanted to say about, and to, each other!
-Get ready together! I'm all for first looks and easing the nerves on a wedding day. Why not share a drink together, get ready together, share your special words and smooch, and then runaway after your dream tiny wedding or elopement.
-Love music? Hire a live band or musician to play while you live our your perfect fairytale.
-Splurge on your day or honeymoon with a fun adventure or two since you won't be paying for a big wedding! Hot air balloon? Sky dive? Rent a luxury car? Fly in a tiny plane during sunset? Boat ride and drinks with your small party? Rent a beach house or lake house for your small wedding party, then let them leave after tying the knot and you two spend your honeymoon there!
It may not be for everyone, but if you are considering a tiny wedding or elopement, or know you want it for sure, there are certainly some ways to make it an absolute blast, for everyone involved, but most importantly, you two!
